Southampton vs Manchester City: Match preview, betting tips and predictions

Southampton vs Manchester City: Match preview, betting tips and predictions - Premier League Matchweek 14

Former Gunner, Theo Walcott lobs Southampton in front after racing through on goal against Arsenal at the Emirates. (Photo credit: Premierleague.com)

Southampton vs Manchester City
St. Mary’s Stadium
4:00pm

 

Whoever thought after thirteen game rounds, the Saints would be in the top four mix should probably go open a sorcery shop, such thoughts aren’t an everyday skill and should be packaged and sold at Harvard.

 

Southampton however would rue their missed opportunities at the Emirates, playing the last half hour against ten men Arsenal and being unable to find a winner would hurt them considering how horrible Arsenal are and how much of fire they have in their own arsenal.

 

Such irony considering the size of the two clubs but Sotton should have beaten Arsenal, at least on paper, they can’t afford to sleep off like that when the Citizens come to town, there comes a time that you begin to believe that you’re not a fluke, the time is now.

 

Manchester City continue to drop points, lying 9^th, eight points from the top isn’t how to wrestle power from Liverpool and the earlier they start dominating and showing results for their worth the better their chances, but as it stands, they aren’t even dreaded anymore.

 

After the boring derby draw at Old Trafford, City followed that up with an unbelievable stalemate at the Etihad against a team many expected them to send forth with bag of goals.

Raheem Sterling set up Ilkay Gundogan for a first-half goal that was soon cancelled out by Semi Ajayi’s effort that was later awarded as a Ruben Dias own goal.

Sam Johnston stood on the line for the baggies and that was all.

It's okay to struggle but with the quality in the City side, together with the pedigree of Pep Guardiola, certain results are unacceptable.

Not totally unrelated so it’s fine to throw it in that Slaven Bilic was shown the exit door by the hierarchy at the Hawthorns, some statement?

Southampton will continue to rely on set pieces, marshaled by James Ward Prowse and quick counters with Theo Walcott hugging the line.

The former Arsenal man lobbed Bernd Leno to raise the curtain at the Emirates on Wednesday and he’ll look to do it again as he hopes to convince Gareth Southgate that he deserves a place in the Three Lions’ Euro 2021 squad.

Maybe it’s time for Guardiola to try something different especially upfront, Gabriel Jesus isn’t the striker that will take City to the top.

They need help and if Sergio Aguero won’t provide it, they can be assured of the fact that the Brazilian won’t too.

Aguero did play some 12 minutes against the Baggies and should be available for selection against the Saints.

If he does play, then the dependable duo of Jan Vestergaard and Bednarek have it all to do, but the Citizens must be wary of them from set-pieces as well.

 

Verdict: Both teams to score